July 9, 2008 - Gov. Mitch Daniels recently announced the state is advancing $620 million of 2008 homestead credits to Indiana counties, including nearly $10.8 million to Henry, Rush and Hancock counties.

According to a press release issued by Daniels' office, the payments are advances on what counties would normally receive two weeks after they have billed property owners. As of June 20, only six Indiana counties (Adams, Madison, Owen, Porter, Tipton and Vanderburgh) had sent spring property tax bills.

Henry County is expected to receive $3,404,316, while Rush and Hancock counties are due to receive $1,491,194 and $5,881,954, respectively. Advances to other area counties are as follows: Madison, $11,853,823; Delaware, $10,664,024; Fayette, $2,157,112; Randolph, $1,916,637; and Wayne, $6,852,519.

The press release said Daniels' decision to order the advance payments was made, in part, because of the added burdens on local governments caused by severe storms that hit many Indiana counties in late May and early June. The governor said the advances were an effort "to get cash where it's needed and protect localities from having to borrow money."